Novel Absorbent Wound Dressing Construct That Allows Wound Fluid Assessment In Use

Abstract

A wound dressing includes a hydrophilic foam layer, a plurality of wicking strips, and a drape layer. The hydrophilic foam layer is configured to engage a wound bed and has a first side and a second side, the second side configured to face the wound bed. The plurality of wicking strips also have a first side and a second side, the second side configured to face the first side of the hydrophilic foam layer. The drape layer also has a first side and a second side, the second side configured to face the first side of the plurality of wicking strips. One or more of the plurality of wicking strips also have a removable tab, wherein the tab extends beyond a periphery of the wound dressing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wound dressing, comprising:
 a hydrophilic foam layer configured for placement proximate a wound bed, and having a first side and a second side, the second side configured to face the wound bed;   a plurality of wicking strips having a first side and a second side, the second side configured to face the first side of the hydrophilic foam layer; and   a drape layer having a first side and a second side, the second side configured to face the first side of the plurality of wicking strips,   wherein one or more of the plurality of wicking strips comprise a removable tab on a first end, wherein the tab extends beyond a periphery of the wound dressing.   
     
     
         2 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wicking strips are positioned side-by-side, such that a first wicking strip is adjacent to a second wicking strip. 
     
     
         3 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wicking strips comprise a plurality of different lengths. 
     
     
         4 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wicking strips comprise the same length. 
     
     
         5 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wicking strips are stacked vertically on top of one another. 
     
     
         6 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the wicking strips comprise a material configured to wick wound exudate from the hydrophilic foam layer to the removable tabs of the wicking strips. 
     
     
         7 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the wicking strips comprise a filter paper. 
     
     
         8 . The wound dressing of  claim 6 , wherein the wicking strips comprise a viscose, polyester, or cellulose material. 
     
     
         9 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the wicking strips extend from a central portion of the wound dressing to the periphery of the wound dressing. 
     
     
         10 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the wicking strips extend to the periphery of the wound dressing on a single side of the wound dressing. 
     
     
         11 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the wicking strips extend to the periphery of the wound dressing on a plurality of sides of the wound dressing. 
     
     
         12 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the removable tabs are configured to provide a visual indication as to the condition of absorbed wound exudate. 
     
     
         13 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the removable tabs comprise an absorbent material. 
     
     
         14 . The wound dressing of  claim 13 , wherein the removable tabs comprise at least one of a polyurethane foam or a super absorbent polymer. 
     
     
         15 . The wound dressing of  claim 13 , wherein the absorbent material of the removable tabs is encapsulated in a transparent film. 
     
     
         16 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the removable tabs comprise a reactive component configured to provide information to a caregiver regarding composition of the wound exudate. 
     
     
         17 . The wound dressing of  claim 16 , wherein the reactive component is a pH indicator dye. 
     
     
         18 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the wicking strips comprise a perforated tear line attaching the removable tabs. 
     
     
         19 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the removable tabs are configured to have a high degree of fluid retention to retain absorbed wound exudate. 
     
     
         20 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the drape layer comprises a polyurethane film. 
     
     
         21 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the drape layer is adhered to one or more of the hydrophilic foam layer and the plurality of wicking strips. 
     
     
         22 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic foam layer comprises one of a polyurethane foam or a polyethylene foam. 
     
     
         23 . The wound dressing of  claim 1 , further comprising an absorbent layer. 
     
     
         24 . A method of making a wound dressing, comprising:
 providing a hydrophilic foam layer having a first side and a second side, the second side configured to face a wound bed;   assembling a plurality of wicking strips to the hydrophilic foam layer, the wicking strips having a removable tab extending at least partially beyond the hydrophilic foam layer; and   covering the hydrophilic foam layer and the wicking strips with a drape layer, so that the removable tabs extend at least partially beyond a periphery of the drape layer.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the plurality of wicking strips are positioned side-by-side, such that a first wicking strip is adjacent to a second wicking strip. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the plurality of wicking strips comprise a plurality of different lengths. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the plurality of wicking strips are substantially the same length. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the plurality of wicking strips are stacked vertically on top of one another.